Random Acts of Kindness

Small, random acts of kindness may not always seem like much. In fact... these actions may even seem trivial, insignificant, or lackluster... to the giver. 

But for me... these thoughtful gifts... make the world go round. They represent the one thing we could all use a little more of… hope.

Recently, I’ve been extremely blessed by random acts of kindness. If only these people knew just how much their generosity has touched my heart... and the impact they've had on my life.

While I could never fully describe my gratitude in words, this is my lame attempt to express what these things meant to me…

The other day, I was working hard by myself at Lucky Dog. It was a blazing-hot afternoon, and I was trying my best to get all of the dogs taken care of... without passing out from the heat.

So, I went inside, to work in the air conditioning for a bit... when I suddenly heard a loud-ass, weed-eater outside. In that moment, I was pretty confused…

I wasn’t expecting anyone to be there that day. So, I walked outside… and it turns out... my friend, Matt Mathis, was out there, weed-eating the yard. When he saw me standing there, with a puzzled look on my face, he simply said: “I’m here to volunteer.”

It was seriously one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me. The act itself seemed small to Matt, but it was huge for me. It was so much bigger than he could know, and it went far beyond the weed-eating itself.

 Yes… the grass here was looking pretty rough... and I just hadn’t had anyone to help me take care of it. But my heart was so touched, because Matt was going out of his way... to help me with something I really needed. He didn’t want credit… he wasn’t even going to tell me he was there doing it.

Honestly, he was planning to let me walk out the door... and see a freshly trimmed lawn... with no bill to pay. Thank God the weed-eater was so loud, because it gave me the chance to say, “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Matt didn’t need to hear those words, but I needed to say them.

Then, later this week, three of my sweet friends, Joy Henson, Maygen Crowe, and Dana Smith, blew me away with their generosity. On their own, they began to promote Lucky Dog Rescue in the Care2 Shelter Contest here locally... something I haven’t had the time to do at all.

On their own... Joy, Maygen, and Dana got together, contacted the local media, and worked to get our community more involved in voting for Lucky Dog Rescue. They had the local news station come out to interview me, got the local paper to run an article about the contest, and set-up interviews for me with radio stations as well.

Also, Joy writes a very popular blog, and she wrote a special post about me, my rescue, and the contest. Joy has written several touching blog posts about me in the past... and her words leave me speechless each time. Joy not only loves and appreciates my work with dogs, but she knows me personally. She’s one of my biggest supporters, and I value her friendship more than she’ll ever know. In this town, everyone loves and respects Joy Henson.

I’m honored to know... that Joy Henson loves and respects me as well.

In addition, Dana started a facebook event, inviting all of the local residents to join, vote, and ask their friends to do the same. Dana is another huge supporter of Lucky Dog. She loves what I do, and she fights for the things my dogs deserve. Her support and encouragement honestly mean the world to me. So, Dana and Maygen started working to promote the facebook event... and the response was truly amazing.

I should also mention that Maygen volunteers her time at Lucky Dog each week. She helps me clean kennels, walk dogs, play with dogs, and on and on. More than that, she and I have the best time laughing together, while we work. Maygen is the bright spot in my day... every time she comes out... and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her. The dogs all love her, but I think I may love her a little more.

Every time she leaves, I thank her immensely for her help. But she always says, “I’m the one who should be thanking you... for letting me be here.” I freaking love it Every action on Maygen’s part is truly a God-send for me.

There’s another friend who always touches my heart with her kindness, Pippa Jackson of ARF of MS. Yesterday, I was having a rough afternoon, and I sent Pippa a text... to say that I was really struggling. Pippa is an insanely busy woman, but she immediately dropped what she was doing... to call and cheer me up. Throughout our talk, she listened, gave advice, and made me laugh.

In doing that, she totally turned my day around. Pippa does this for me... every single time I need her, no matter what she has going on in her own life.

Sometimes, a simple phone call is all it takes to make a difference for someone, and Pippa proves that to me each time we talk.

Caring, giving people are truly the heart of this world. With all the suffering I witness, sometimes I begin to lose faith in humanity. I’m surrounded by inhumane actions each day. I see the abuse, the neglect, and the indifference… and at times, I wonder if my continued optimism is even warranted.

But then, amazing people go out of their way for me and others, and I’m reminded of the goodness that still exists. Seemingly small... random acts of kindness have the ability to restore my faith in the world... and give back the hope that many have tried to take away from me.

I’d say that’s not “small” at all. That’s huge.

Never underestimate your power to make a difference. Never assume that there’s nothing you can do… everyone can do something. Never forget that even the smallest actions on your part, can change the world... for someone who needs help. You may be their only hope.

*While I couldn’t list all the names here, this post was written for every Lucky Dog Rescue donor, volunteer, foster home, and supporter. Thank you... I could never do this without you.

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